While I haven't seen the informercials that Alan Cross is doing, and probably never will, I wouldn't be quick to judge his actions as selling out.

I think one has to weigh the importance of his accomplishments and contributions to the history of alternative music against what amounts to a blip on the radar screen of his career.

Because of the efforts of Cross and his contemporaries at the original CFNY, many bands made their radio debuts not just in Toronto, or Canada, but for all of North America. What John Peel was for the BBC, Alan Cross was for us.

And even in today's radio climate where airtime is hardly ever given to unestablished bands, Cross continues to hold the flame high through his Ongoing History of New Music. It's a walk down memory lane for us old folks and a true history lesson for teenagers getting into alternative for the first time.

So, let's cut Alan some slack. Compared to the likes of Dees and Kasem, his contributions and support to great music far outweighs any temporary commericial diversions he might undertake.